Thursday Practice: The Big Bang

Kevin Carden

09/04/2008

The hardest hitter in all of college football, Rey Maualuga, was on the receiving end of Thursday's biggest hit when Broderick Green lowered the boom. Look inside for all the details from Thursday's practice.

Big Broderick Green Lowers the Boom
The hardest hitter in all of college football, Rey Maualuga, was on the receiving end of Thursday's biggest hit.

Tailback Broderick Green took a short pass, lowered his shoulder and sent big, bad Rey Maualuga in the air and flat on his back.

The intimidating linebacker was in good spirits about the hit and remained on the ground allowing his teammates to have some fun at his expense.

"I thought Rey was really gracious about it," Carroll said of the play. "He let the kid have his moment."

Green's big play came the day after the he talked with Coach Carroll about becoming a more physical runner.

"We talked last night about it," Carroll said. "We always hoped that he would run big and be the hammer. He's got the big body and big shoulders that can allow him to be that kind of player."

Carroll felt that Green had gotten away from his bruising style in recent weeks and needed to get back to being a power back.

"He maybe got caught up in trying to be like the other guys a little bit," said Carroll, who was pleased with Green's play on Thursday.

"He came back roaring today. He's clear on what we are asking of him."

Bryant's Been Cleared for Contact

With eight members of the 2008 recruiting class seeing action in the Trojans season-opening blowout against Virginia, it was somewhat surprising that cornerback T.J. Bryant wasn't one of them.

The reason he didn't get any playing time was revealed when Coach Carroll announced that Bryant was still recovering from shoulder surgery that he had this offseason and hadn't been cleared by the team doctors.

"T.J. Bryant has been released to be full speed, finally," Coach Carroll said.

"He wasn't cleared the first game. He's been able to do everything but not hit. Now he can fully participate and he's been cleared to play.

"He had shoulder surgery back in the offseason so he is just getting back to full strength."

Bryant matched up several times against veteran Patrick Turner on Thursday and had one of his best practices of the season.

Freshman offensive lineman Matt Kalil returned to practice today after hyperextending his knee earlier in the week.

Freshman safety Drew McAllister continues to make plays and deliver big hits. McAllister made a touchdown saving play when he separated Patrick Turner from the ball on a pass from Mark Sanchez. McAllister timed the play perfectly and caused the incompletion.

Linebacker Luthur Brown was in full contact drills for the second straight day and was dishing out some big hits.